Kurt Kessler, Mortgage Broker

09/10/2026

Big Credit Score Change Could Help More Buyers Qualify

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have made a significant change to mortgage credit scoring.

Effective immediately, approved lenders can now use VantageScore 4.0 as an alternative to the traditional Classic FICO score on eligible conventional loans.

Why does this matter?

VantageScore 4.0 looks at credit differently than Classic FICO. Because of those differences, some buyers may receive a different credit score under VantageScore than they do with FICO.

That could create opportunities for buyers who previously had trouble qualifying or who received less favorable loan terms because of their FICO score.

A few important things to know:

• Lenders can choose between Classic FICO and VantageScore 4.0 on eligible Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans.

• If there is more than one borrower, the same scoring model must be used for everyone on the loan.

• Lenders cannot use a FICO score for one borrower and VantageScore for another.

• Manually underwritten loans must still use Classic FICO.

What This Means for Realtors

Don't assume a buyer's old credit score tells the whole story.

If you have a buyer who was previously turned down, had a borderline credit score, or was told they needed to improve their credit before purchasing, it may be worth having their financing reviewed again.

This doesn't mean every buyer will suddenly qualify. But it does give lenders another tool to potentially find a better path to homeownership.

💬 Weekend Talking Point

If you're talking with a buyer this weekend, try:

"There was just a major change to mortgage credit scoring. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are now allowing lenders to use a newer credit scoring model called VantageScore 4.0. If credit has been holding you back from buying, it may be worth having your financing looked at again."

Have a buyer you're unsure about? Send them my way. I'll take a look at both the financing and the strategy before you count them out.

09/04/2026

September 4, 2026
Big Fannie Mae Update!

Getting a mortgage while converting your current home into a rental just got easier.

If your client is buying a new home while still owning their current residence, lenders traditionally required a signed lease to document rental income from the departing property.

That has changed.

Here’s what’s new:
Fannie Mae no longer requires a lease to document rental income from the departing residence. In fact, Fannie Mae specifically states that a lease is not permitted for this purpose.

Instead, rental income can be supported by:

• A rental estimate from sources such as Zillow or Redfin • A rental analysis from an appraiser

There is one important requirement: the borrower must have an additional six months of reserves to cover the payments on the departing residence.

But here’s where it gets interesting...
This guideline could potentially create a new strategy for buyers who want to buy before they sell.

This revised guideline opens the door to misuse. Some in the real estate community will use this rule to help buyers achieve a buy before they sell strategy, when the intent was always to sell the departing residence, not rent it.

How will lenders police the intent behind the transaction?

It'll be interesting to see how lenders interpret and implement this change—and whether additional overlays start showing up.

Bottom line: Fannie Mae just removed one of the biggest hurdles for borrowers converting their current home into a rental. And this could have a much bigger impact on the buy-before-you-sell strategy than it appears on the surface.

07/30/2026

U.S. home prices increased 0.6% from April to May, bringing the three-month gain to 2.1%. After adjusting for seasonal trends, however, prices were essentially flat. Even so, home values remain 1.1% higher than they were a year ago.

07/29/2026

𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝘆. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺… 𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲.

That’s a problem.

Because when rates drop, the opportunity to refinance and save thousands can come and go quickly.

That’s why we created the www.RefiRateWatchlist.com.

Instead of constantly checking the market, you can simply set your target rate and let the system do the work. When the market hits your number, you get notified. No guessing. No obsessively refreshing rate charts.

Here’s how it helps homeowners:

✔ Get instant alerts when rates reach your target
✔ Track opportunities based on your loan balance, goals, and timeline
✔ Know when refinancing could lower your payment or save interest
✔ No spam. Just clear updates when it matters

Smart homeowners don’t chase rates.

They let the rates come to them.

If you’d like to keep an eye on refinance opportunities without watching the market every day, you can sign up here in less than a minute:

🔗www.RefiRateWatchlist.com

Your future self (and your monthly payment) might thank you.

07/21/2026

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗦𝗖𝗥 𝗟𝗼𝗮𝗻𝘀

The traditional mortgage process can be a hurdle for self-employed investors or those with complex tax profiles. DSCR loans simplify the equation: if the rental income covers the mortgage payment, the deal makes sense.

Key Advantages for Your Next Acquisition

No Personal Income Verification: We don’t look at your W2s or pay stubs. Qualification is based on the property’s cash flow.

Faster Closing Times: Without the need for extensive personal financial auditing, the bridge from application to funding is significantly shorter.

Scale Your Portfolio: Since these loans don't impact your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio in the same way as conventional financing, you can continue to acquire multiple properties simultaneously.

Entity Lending: Close in the name of an LLC or corporation to protect your personal assets and organize your business effectively.

The market is moving quickly, and having a specialized financing tool in your belt is the best way to stay competitive. Whether you are looking at long-term rentals or short-term vacation stays, the cash-flow-first approach is built for the modern investor.

Visit www.TheDSCR.Loan to run your numbers or start an application.

07/16/2026

Pending home sales (signed contracts on existing homes) slipped 5.4% from May to June, ending a streak of four consecutive monthly increases. All four U.S. regions posted declines.

07/14/2026

𝗩𝗔 𝗜𝗥𝗥𝗥𝗟 𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗠𝘆𝗩𝗔.𝗟𝗼𝗮𝗻

Veterans and active duty service members can lower their monthly mortgage payment through the VA's streamlined IRRRL program.

It's fast, simple, and free to start.

✅ Simple & Fast - No Income Documentation
💰 No Lender or Title Fees
📉 No Impound Option with 680 mid score.
🚫 No Appraisal

Stop paying to much go to www.RefiMyVa.Loan

07/13/2026

Headline: Same Home. Lower Payment. Better Terms. 📉

Still paying 2024 or 2025 interest rates? The market has shifted, and your FHA loan is ready for an upgrade.

✅ No Credit Score Stress
✅ No Home Appraisal
✅ No Paystubs Needed

The FHA Streamline is the "cheat code" of refinancing. Visit www.refimyfha.loan today to see your new monthly payment.

🔗 www.RefiMyFHA.Loan

07/07/2026

07/07/2026

𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗮𝘅 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲-𝗼𝗳𝗳𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲.

Being self-employed is the ultimate freedom...until you try to get a mortgage.

Traditional lenders see your tax returns and see a "low income" because of your hard-earned deductions. We see a successful business owner with a strong cash flow.

At www.ZeroTaxReturns.com, we’ve flipped the script. We specialize in mortgages for self-employed borrowers that focus on your actual earning potential, not just your paperwork.

✅ No Tax Returns required
✅ Bank Statement programs (12–24 months)
✅ P&L Statement programs
✅ Fast approvals for entrepreneurs and freelancers
✅ Solutions for 1099 workers and small business owners

Don’t let the red tape of traditional banking slow you down. Let’s get you into your new home using the income you actually make.

Ready to see what you qualify for?

Visit us at 👉 www.ZeroTaxReturns.com